Honours even at Villa Park

Battle to reach the Champions League set to continue

Last updated: 28th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Honours even at Villa Park

Agbonlahor: Scrappy opener

Man of the Match: Niko Kranjcar: The Croatian has really stepped up in Luka Modric's absence and most of Spurs' attacks flowed through him.

Moment of the Match: Jermain Defoe's denied goal in the 73rd minute could have changed the outcome of the game had it been allowed to stand.

Attempt of the Match: Emile Heskey's late header from Ashley Young's cross came very close and showed great technique.

Save of the Match: Brad Friedel's stop to deny Kranjcar from a powerful drive in the closing stages of the first half showed the American at his best.

Talking Point: Which one of these sides made the stronger case for a push towards a top-four finish?

Goal of the Game: Despite the suspicion of handball in the build-up, Michael Dawson's equaliser was a stunning shot.

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Aston Villa and Tottenham delivered an indication that their battle to break the cartel of the Premier League's Big Four will continue to be a tightly-fought contest as they drew 1-1 at Villa Park.

Michael Dawson's second-half strike cancelled out Gabriel Agbonlahor's early goal in England's Second City to send Spurs third in the table and leave Villa fifth.

Agbonlahor scrambled the opener in the 10th minute as Spurs' captain-for-the-day Dawson and Wilson Palacios collided when attempting to clear Carlos Cuellar's flick on at a corner.

Villa then exerted energy in abundance in defending their lead and were grateful Cuellar was in a more familiar area of the field when he cleared a Dawson effort off his own goalline.

Martin O'Neill's side were not at their best in the first half, but could not be faulted for effort as they kept their lead at the interval, and the pattern continued in the second 45 minutes.

An improved Spurs called the tune and Niko Kranjcar was superbly denied by the excellent Brad Friedel before Jermain Defoe had a goal ruled out for handball.

Harry Redknapp's side, who thrashed Wigan last time out, then had the equaliser they deserved in the 77th minute when Dawson controlled and volleyed a Benoit Assou-Ekotto cross to leave Friedel with no chance.

Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker came into the side for Steve Sidwell while Habib Beye replaced ill left-back Stephen Warnock. He took over at right-back from Luke Young who switched to the opposite flank.

Spurs central defender Jonathan Woodgate's groin problem meant he made way for Sebastien Bassong.

Positive intent

Villa, unbeaten at home since the opening day of the campaign, looked full of positive intent in the early stages and started at a high tempo.

But it was home keeper Friedel who was called upon to make the first save of the game.

The former Blackburn player had to be alert to tip over a powerful drive from Kranjcar from just outside the box. Then after 10 minutes Agbonlahor put Villa ahead.

James Milner's near-post corner was met by Cuellar whose header was blocked on the line but the loose ball broke to Agbonlahor who squeezed it home.

Agbonlahor found a yard of space on the edge of the Spurs box but dragged his shot well wide.

Friedel had to be alert to tip over a drive from Tom Huddlestone after it had taken a slight deflection off Reo-Coker.

Aaron Lennon saw little of the ball in the opening half which was surprising given the destruction he had caused against Wigan.

Redknapp would have wanted more from his side attacking-wise in the second period - and his players responded.

Dominant visitors

Friedel had to be at his best to finger-tip a fierce 20-yard drive from Kranjcar around the post at full stretch.

The game was now more open, with Villa looking to catch Spurs on the counter-attack.

A mistake by Huddlestone allowed Agbonlahor to find Ashley Young in space but his centre was just too high for Carew who could get no direction or power on his header.

However, Villa were now dropping back in numbers as the visitors dominated possession-wise.

The impressive Cuellar blocked a shot from Kranjcar after throwing himself at full stretch.

Redknapp made his first substitution after 65 minutes, with Palacios replaced by Jermaine Jenas while the limping Reo-Coker made way for Villa midfielder Sidwell.

Friedel was again Villa's saviour when he blocked a low shot from Jenas.

Defoe bundled the rebound into the net but was adjudged to have handled by referee Phil Dowd.

With 15 minutes remaining, Emile Heskey was introduced in place of Carew.

But after 77 minutes Dawson deservedly brought Spurs back on level terms when he fired an unstoppable shot past Friedel from the edge of the box.

Aston VillaTeam StatisticsTottenham Hotspur
1Goals1
11st Half Goals0
1Shots on Target7
9Shots off Target7
3Blocked Shots11
7Corners9
13Fouls10
0Offsides1
0Yellow Cards1
0Red Cards0
65.6Passing Success80.7
18Tackles27
72.2Tackles Success63
36.2Possession63.8
45.1Territorial Advantage54.9

Comments (15)

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Roy Gohil (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

I think Villa fans are dreaming, THFC have Modric out and we still dominated the game away from home. Villa packed their defence and sat back as they were too afraid of us. When Villa come over to our gaff they will be beaten no question. It's very clear who is the better team, and with Modric back we will be a team where even the top 4 will struggle, such as last season where we beat the top four teams with exception to man u

Posted 07:42 30th November 2009

Richard Davy (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

A disappointing first half from Spurs as they seemed to realise too late that when they kept possession they were the more dominant. But what a transformation in the 2nd half. They really looked like the team I know they are - total domination of the Aston Villa half of the pitch - which didn't give Villa a moment of rest. It's a credit to Villa that they prevented a second goal - if we dominate like that in future games we must bag all three points. 'Come on you Spurs'

Posted 08:29 29th November 2009

Brian Howe (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

I enjoyed the game. I wished Spurs hod won but i would settle for the draw. I would like the manager to be more animated when we play the traditional big four teams and not only the weaker teams. All the same Spurs gave a good performance and if it were not for Villa's goalkeeper, they would have gotten a hiding.

Posted 01:06 29th November 2009

David Hateley says...

Although Tottenham dominated most of the game. I still think our defence is second to none in this league. Spurs defence i am afraid is still a bit suspect and will hinder there chances of breaking the top four. They are only a couple of players away from being a top team tho. And lets hope both us and spurs can break into it eventually. with both teams reliance on good english players it is just the shot in the arm the prem needs.

Posted 22:59 28th November 2009

Justin Lewis (Aston Villa fan) says...

Tottenham were pretty much the better side in this game to be fair. Villa's attacking players are really not in any sort of form at the moment. On this showing we will finish below Spurs. But if Milner, Ashley Young, Gabby and Stewart Downing start to function as a unit, there will be no stopping us.

Posted 22:40 28th November 2009

Lee Billingham (Aston Villa fan) says...

Can't believe how negative Villa were after we scored, we've proved over the years that we cant defend a lead if our life depended on it.

Posted 21:49 28th November 2009

Keith Wareing (Aston Villa fan) says...

What can I say Villa are doing well and will struggle towards the end of the season but lets hope in Januaru Oneil will buy a player or two. Spurs done well today but remember your playing Villa not Wigan? One last thing lets all say how amazing Mark Hughs is the only manager who could spend so much money and still only get draw after draw......

Posted 21:34 28th November 2009

Andy Lee (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Sorry, but was Kranjcar injured???? Why oh why was he hauled off. You could see he was blatantly Spurs' best player followed in the distance by Daws and he knew it as you could see his face of bewilderedness on the bench. Harry seems to be doing it but some of his decisions have me scratching my head. PS please please stop the long ball game. We play it far too much.

Posted 21:18 28th November 2009

Neama Moghadam (Aston Villa fan) says...

Villa were well below par today, but it goes to show that even when we dont play half as good as we can, we arent losing. People forget we had 2 of our 1st choice back 4 missing today. We are more set for the season this year, Downing, Davies, Warnock, Collins to come back. With youth like Delph as well to come in i think top 4 is a real possibilty.

Posted 21:13 28th November 2009

Mark Labouchardiere (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Sometimes you need a bit of luck, we did not hagve that today. Villa packed the D, look at the stats? We were the better team & that's a plus! We should beat them at home. Come on ye Spurs!!

Posted 21:01 28th November 2009

Rafael Mattia (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Spurs only seem to play well when there is pressure on them to attack. They played well today and should have won the game easily Aston Villa were a little to predictable and definately miss barry in the heart of midfield. Niko had a great match and was unlucky not to score. I think by the end of the season it will be close between spurs, villa and city to break into the four, though we might just have the quality in depth should city fail to spend big in January. Come on you spurs!!

Posted 20:58 28th November 2009

Sam Peel (Aston Villa fan) says...

A fair result. Shows that tottenham can be managed and resticted by an organised defence (no offence to wigan)! Shame the counter-attacking style didn't pay off this time. But I'm still confident villa will finish above tottenham tho come end of season!!

Posted 20:55 28th November 2009

Carl Shilvock (Aston Villa fan) says...

Villa were solid in defence and are building up some momentum, Tottenham are at their best and on a high could not beat us. Villa will go on with some consistency, Tottenham need to get players fit and look more composed at the back. Villa 5th Tottenham 6th or 7th

Posted 20:46 28th November 2009

Mark Reynolds (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

After Villa scored we dominated the match and we should of scored more and won but they defended well

Posted 20:20 28th November 2009

Marc De-caux (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Ive never seen a home side sit back on a 10th minute lead. Spurs should of won easily and dominated the game, at Villa Park!! Villa were way too negative. Despite the draw I think it is clear who will finish higher in the league come the end of the season!!

Posted 20:06 28th November 2009
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